Gov. Kay Ivey discusses public safety bill

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — It’s called the “Safe Alabama” bill package. Lawmakers hope eight bills can crack down on crime in the streets of Alabama.

“We simply want our residents to feel safe on their porches,” said Randall Woodfin, Mayor of Birmingham. “For their children to play outside, to be able to walk to a store. To be able to ride a bus. Those things are so important to us.”

Woodfin says one of the bills in the package, banning glock switches, will bring down gun violence in his city. But, Sandy Stimpson, Mayor of Mobile, said another bill will help.

“The penalties for felons in possession of a firearm is very important to us,” Stimpson said. “I think if you’re a convicted felon there oughtta be harsher penalties. And, I think that’s part of the package. So, we’re grateful for that also.”

Governor Kay Ivey (R) said the “Safe Alabama” package is a bipartisan effort. “All of our priority areas-,from education, to job creation, all require safe communities,” she said. “And, working together, we will accomplish that for our citizens.”

Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) agrees. But, he said Democrats do have concerns. One of those bills would protect police officers from lawsuits unless they violate someone’s rights or act recklessly without law enforcement justification.

“The civil immunity bill, which was not discussed today, is one though that we have concerns about and the impact it may have on residents,” he explained. “But, as far as, again, the glock switch bill, there have been some concerns but we have addressed a lot of those.”

Hal Taylor, secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said they are excited about these priorities. “A bullet doesn’t know if you’re a Democrat, or a Republican,” he remarked. “So, I think they’ve come together across the aisles and realized that they need to do something altogether. All the public has said something about it. This has been going on for a while now, and I think everybody wants something done.”

The bills are making their way to the floor in both chambers. Gov. Ivey said a safe Alabama is a secured future for Alabama.